Syria: China will not bomb
In the crisis around Syria, China is acting in full accordance with its doctrine of “peaceful rise” - giving preference to diplomacy and “soft power”, not entering into direct confrontation with other major international players, but also, if possible, blocking those initiatives that could harm strategic interests China.
At a press conference on September 30, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced five principles that China offers to all interested parties:
“Firstly, the Syrian problem must be resolved only through political means. Military methods are not a solution to the situation.
Secondly, the future of Syria and the process of political transition in the country must be determined by the Syrian people themselves.
Thirdly, it is necessary to advance the internal political process and begin a transparent and open dialogue as soon as possible.
Fourth, ensure national reconciliation and unity in Syria.
Lastly, it is necessary to provide humanitarian assistance to Syria and neighboring countries.”
As you can see, military measures are not even mentioned in the list. Only at the end of this list, the Chinese diplomat noted that in addition to political and humanitarian steps, “we must also take into account the need to fight terrorist groups inside Syria.” It is unlikely that we will see Chinese forces as part of the anti-terrorist coalition in the Middle East.
And this is not surprising. The PRC is focusing its military efforts in other areas. A flashpoint in recent years has become the East China Sea, where China is locked in a territorial dispute with Japan over several islands and has been ostentatiously building up its maritime forces. American analysts consider containing China in this direction to be one of the main strategic objectives of the United States.
However, faced with American opposition, China, in full accordance with its traditional strategy, prefers to advance into the “emptiness.” In his recent speech at the UN General Assembly, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced his readiness to provide military assistance in the amount of $100 million to African countries over five years, and also announced the creation of a one billion dollar fund to assist developing countries and a peacekeeping corps of police and military forces under the auspices of the UN.
It is likely that African countries will receive the lion's share of this assistance, and the peacekeeping contingent will be used primarily to restore order on the Dark Continent.
It is quite possible that Ukraine could also claim part of this money. Shortly before his overthrow, President Yanukovych announced large-scale joint projects, but the coup d'etat that led the country to direct control from Washington put an end to these investment prospects. Fortunately, among developing countries there is no shortage of people willing to receive Chinese millions for their development.
The long-running conversations about China's creeping expansion in Africa, rich in the resources it needs, are receiving their institutional form. And it seems that while Western countries and Russia are busy with the Syrian and Ukrainian crises, there is simply no one to compete with China in this area.
Syria : China Won't Bomb